DIY Project Suggestions for a Teenager

Ironh59 on 10/12/2021 - 12:47

I have a 12 years old (soon to be 13) who started going to high school this year. We have probably been a bit overprotective and never let him use power tools before. However he really liked working on his carpentry projects in school workshop. He thinks that was the most fun activity he has done in the school so far was actually looking forward to those classes.

I am thinking of doing couple of fun projects with him these holidays and will slowly let him use some of my tools (no circular saws or angle grinders yet), as long as he is wearing protective gear and does it under my supervision.

I would appreciate any suggestions. I just want it to be a little challenging, and not too simple.

Thank you!

Toys & Kids

Comments

  • soan papdi on 10/12/2021 - 12:55
    +3

    Cricket bat and stumps.

    • Ironh59 on 10/12/2021 - 13:17

      Not a bad idea. He loves to play cricket, may be a set of light weight stumps that we can use for training. Not sure how many blows it will be able to take though :)

  • Archi on 10/12/2021 - 12:55
    +12
    • buying old furniture and restoring them is always fun… i did that with my dad when were kids, using the old furniture in the yard.
    • building planter boxes from pallets. give them to elderly neighbours
    • making billy kart, and then racing them down a hill
    • build a cubby house for someone else.
    • Ironh59 on 10/12/2021 - 13:19

      Good suggestions, we can make a small planters for couple of indoor plants he has in his room. Cubby house is also good idea, we just need to ask our friends with small kids if they need one

      • Archi on 10/12/2021 - 13:22

        we made some planter legs for pots

    • Benoffie on 10/12/2021 - 13:24
      +2

      Second furniture restoration. Life skill and supplies readily found everywhere from hard waste to second hand shops.
      If they learn good techniques, it's an in demand skill.

  • GG57 on 10/12/2021 - 12:56
    +2

    Great idea; my only suggestion would be to make something that can be / will be used. Not necessarily by just your child, but by the family.

  • apsilon on 10/12/2021 - 13:00
    +4

    I believe back in the day one of the first things an apprentice had to do was make their own tool box (obviously not a thing these days). May be a good project and I'm sure you could find some plans online. Also provides somewhere for him to start collecting his own tools. Otherwise try and find something that meshes with other hobbies or something needed.

    • Ironh59 on 10/12/2021 - 13:23

      They are building a small tool box in school. Let's see if he is interested in making something bigger. His other major hobby is cricket, so DIY stumps are on the list, as suggested by another soan papdi.

  • jjjaar on 10/12/2021 - 13:01
    +1

    Does he collect anything? Could make a shelf or something to display what he collects

    • Ironh59 on 10/12/2021 - 13:25

      He used to collect Hot Wheels and Lego, I made some shelves to display those few years ago.

  • holdenmg on 10/12/2021 - 13:06
    +3

    Have a look @
    https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/

    • cimrak on 11/12/2021 - 17:02

      Fantastic suggestion, and there are usually some medium to advanced projects you could do together for bonding.

  • Loot N Plunder on 10/12/2021 - 13:16
    +2

    A bird nesting box not the bog standard ones but the ones that look like a house, I have a few up and its been great watching the birds nest in them over the years.

    Some wooden toys for donation cars, planes or a dowel and hammer toy.

    Wind mills/weather vane/ planes/running man things that move in the wind.

    • Ironh59 on 10/12/2021 - 13:26

      Bird nesting box is an awesome idea. That is something I am also thinking of making for a while.
      Added to the list.

  • Muzeeb on 10/12/2021 - 13:20
    +4

    Nearly all power tools are safe for a teenager if you teach them their safe use, wear appropriate safety gear and supervise.

    Blanket boxes can be useful and can be very simple to make.

    Have fun.

  • slow on 10/12/2021 - 13:21
    +3

    Bookshelf or wall hanging unit like the below that you can both design and build. Did something like that with my son that he now uses in his bedroom
    Got all the wood from hard rubbish and building skips

    https://www.99pallets.com/pallet-shelves/creative-pallet-wal…

  • bmxr on 10/12/2021 - 13:30
    +2

    Breadboard or a serving platter made from a variety of wood. Will get them in to measuring, cutting, gluing, vices, holesaw for a finger hole. And it gets used by the family on a regular basis so is something to be proud of and on display.

    But seriously, they are 13, let them use tools!

  • AndyC1 on 10/12/2021 - 13:44

    Try the following as it is simple, yet at the end you get a small table to use:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhD5giZvULI

    The most dangerous power tool will be a sander as the wood can be cut with a normal saw (and IMHO before using power tools you should teach the kids the non power tool way of doing things if you can).

    You may be able to scavenge the wood from a council cleanup in your area if you want to do it on the real cheap.

  • pegaxs on 10/12/2021 - 13:44

    Spice rack…
    Wooden spoon collection holder…

    Or maybe taking something already built and restoring it

    • Muzeeb on 10/12/2021 - 14:00
      +3

      Nice spice rack inspiration here

      • pegaxs on 10/12/2021 - 23:09

        Hahaha, that’s the exact one I was thinking of when I made the suggestion.

  • Ryanek on 10/12/2021 - 13:45
    +2

    A trebuchet

  • Stopback on 10/12/2021 - 14:39

    air tasker ikea construcion service

  • ShannonN on 10/12/2021 - 17:20

    kids high rectangular toy boxes that sit at end of bed and have an upholstered top to sit on are popular and a saleable item

  • Grunntt on 11/12/2021 - 10:07

    My niece really enjoyed the challenge of making wall clocks.
    Every bedroom in their house now has a personalised timepiece.
    They also became the standard birthday/xmas present for a while.

    She found that assembling the clocks took a variety of skills - not just wood working.
    They also helped her to become more creative with the look of the work.

    The added benefit being that the cost was quite minimal.

    As an add on to this she also really got into wood burning for decoration etc.

  • OzHunterNSW on 11/12/2021 - 10:09
    -5

    Seems to me you know little of your own child. Do you talk to him… maybe he likes computers… have you lego… moulding clay… painting kits…. drawing kit…. maybe talk to him get to know your child…. ask them what their name is

    • Ironh59 on 15/01/2022 - 16:41

      Thank you kind stranger, for judging me on the very little information I have provided here.

  • saltypete on 11/12/2021 - 10:12

    Another option is to do some vehicle maintenance with him.
    Checking oil and coolant, oil and filter changes. Even including him in discussions about the next car purchase - finances, running costs, insurance etc.
    Covers 2 of the five aspects of learning to drive.

    It is good to engage them in the ‘why’ part of a home project, particularly if it isn’t their idea. Context is really important for them. Some parts of any project are tedious, repetitive work. Knowing the why helps to get though these…

  • rocmelon on 11/12/2021 - 11:27

    Sign him up to
    instructables.com

    Many projects for all ages, in all areas of interest

  • HeWhoKnows on 11/12/2021 - 22:14

    I think he should start building a granny flat out the back yard
    Maybe for him or maybe for somewhere to hide granny

  • yokel on 15/01/2022 - 09:44
    +1

    What about learning electronics or arduino programming with Jaycar kits? The Jaycar stuff is an expensive start (depending on your budget) but you can order stuff from Aliexpress & EBay as the projects become more sophisticated.

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